On 12/2/2007 wolfwinners wrote:
I have major back problems which produce very severe lower back pain. But I just have been diagnosed with anemia. A blood test showed low hematocrit and hemoglobin as well as elevated sed rates and elevated crp. I do also have psoriatic arthritis, so that has to be considered as a potential for the eleveated rates.
However, I am also tired a lot, itchy, have a much smaller appetite and have lost a little weight. I have chills all the time and in South Florida, I go out with 3 shirts, a hoodie and another jacket. Also, I have started to get nosebleeds, although they have been minor. And I get these weid feelings of a total body ache where my body is in pain and it feels like it comes from deep within me.
My Primary Doctor wanted me to have a colonoscopy to find out where the blood loss is coming from. I have no symptoms of colon cancer or ulcers which leaves the bone marrow as the most likely problem causing blood loss.
Does this sound in any way like leukemia? What else does it sound like?
Thanks!
Alan
Hi Alan: Whatever you do, do not try to diagnose yourself. It can make you go crazy trying to figure out what the problem is. You said your doctor wants you to have a colonoscopy. I do not know your age, but they recommend a colonoscopy by the age of 50.
I think you should have complete blood work by your doctor, and then go from there. Let me just share with you how they found my Leukemia. I have what they call CML,which is chronic myelogenous leukemia. I was very tired all the time, but I also had a very hectic schedule with my job, therefore,I did not think too much about it. I had routine blood work, and my White Count was elevated. They repeated the blood work 2 more times over the next few months. Each time my count was going higher, and my doctor did not waste anytime. I immediately had a Bone Marrow Biopsy, and that gave them all the information they needed to start treating me. I will not go into too much more detail, until you give me a little more info. I also have a very bad back, and I am anemic. The anemia did not start till I started my Gleevec for the Leukemia. Sounds like you may have a lot of different things going on. Be tested before you think its life threatening. I will look for a response from you. Take it easy until you find out what the problem is.
Suzzie 59